Electric glass-furnace.



No. 706,283. Patbnted Aug. 5, I902. A. voeuuzn.

ELECTRIC GLASS FURNACE.

(Application filed Apr. 25, IBOIJ (No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Shaet l.

No. 706,283. Patented Au 5, 1902.

I A. vozuuan.

ELECTRIC GLASS FURNACE (Application filed Apr. 95, 1901.)

2 Shouts-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

AUGUST VOELKER, OF COLOGNE, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO COMPANY LINDUSTRIE VERRIERES ET SES DERIVES, OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

ELECTRIC GLAS$=FURNACE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 706,283, dated August 5, 1902.

Application filed April 25, 1901. Serial No. 57,499. (No model.)

T all whom it may concern:

Beitknown thatl,AUGUsTVoELKEmasubject of the King of Prussia, German Emperor, residing at C010gne-0n-the-Rhine,in the Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Glass-Furnaces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electrical fur- IO nace for melting glass and producing waterglass, characterized by inclined radiating passages in which melting is eifected by the heat of electric arcs produced by electrodes arranged in them, these passages leading to a common refining-receptacle, in which the material is heated by the heat resulting from electrical resistance.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of a furnace according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the furnace through the annular space 0, and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the electrodes 61. g

The materials for forming the glass are fed 2 5 by a worm-conveyer h to four tubes 0, which lead into inclined radial passages over what may be termed the hearth a. The materials are melted by the heat of arcs produced by electrodes d, arranged in each passage,

and also by arcs of electric candles e of the J ablochkofi kind. The passages are formed in four refractory blocks f and are covered by slabs g. The molten materials flow down the inclined channels 71, which meet in a cen- 3 5 tral channel 7', and thence they flow into the refining-pot 7c, in which when fine glass is to be produced refining is effected by the heat caused by resistance between two electrodes Z, which can be led in by earthenware pipes and supplied with continuous or alternating electric currents. From 70 the fluid glass flows by openings on into the annular trough n and thence, overflowing, descends by pas sages 0 into the basin p, from which it is worked by tools through the working doors q, or the basin may be so arranged that it can be emptied by tipping. The combustible gases evolved in the passages, which cannot descend because the outlet j is closed by the molten material, are conducted by pipes 0' to a burner s, where they meet with air entering by a pipe 25. The flame from thisburner serves to maintain the heat of the workingout basin p and its contents. Such incombustible gases as are evolved pass away by channels at.

The furnace is preferably mounted on wheels 1;, so that it can be readily moved from place to place, and its outer walls are inclosed A in metal casing. 66

What I claim, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a furnace for melting glass, the combination with a plurality of inclined passages converging to form a common outlet, an inlet for each of said passages, electrodes to form an are immediately at the inlet to each of said passages, electrodes positioned in the respective passages below the first named elec trodes, a refining-pot located immediately be- 70 low the common outlet of the said passages and electrodes positioned in said pot.

2. In a furnace for melting glass, the combination with a plurality of inclined passages converging to form a common outlet, elec- 7 5 trodes in said passages, an inlet for each of said passages, a refining-pot below said outlet and a basin below the refining-pot, of out lets forming a continuation of the respective passages above the said inlets for the escape of combustible gases produced in said pas sages and pipes leading from said outlets to a suitable burner below the basin whereby said basin is heated by said gases.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

AUGUST VOELKER. lVitnesses:

KARL SGHMITT, J OH. SonoLz. 

